I Need "Bedtime" Help!

The best advice I have is to keep doing what you are doing, because once she learns that the screaming doesn't change anything, she will stop. She is just trying to get her way which seems like her way is having you in there, try keeping a light outside her room on and her door halfway open, thats what works for my daughter.

Try to make every night the same ritual. Bed time always the same time. Be consistant. Bath, jammies, bed, book, hug/kiss...light's out. Don't go back for one more hug, one more drink... Make sure she has a stuffed toy or doll that is small and that she can tell her problems to (lol). My youngest had to have his bedtime Curious George. We always tucked George in and kissed him good night too. My older kids did better when they were little when I let them listen to stories on tape/CD. If they gave me trouble the tape would be shut off until they were quiet. Maybe remind her that you'll see her in the morning. That's a hard age. Good luck.

Our son is 2 1/2yrs old and was a great sleeper until about 3 months ago. All of a sudden he wanted us to sleep in his room. He is at that age where fears are starting to come up. Is that the case for her? Does she not want you to leave her room? I have heard different takes on this. For us, we have put a gate up so he can't come to our room. But my hubby stays outside his room until he falls asleep, then comes in to bed. Some parents say to just con't to put him/her back to bed, but we need some sleep.
I think it's a phase that he will grow out of!
Good luck!

Both of our kids would put up a fight, and our oldest (who is now almost three) would get up out of his bed and go on a rampage around his room. When we took away his toddler bed and put him back in a crib, that stopped.

We figured out that if they thought we were going to go back into the room, they would keep it up. So we stopped. We put them down, said I love you, and walked out the door. After a few days of not going back in or even acknowledging that they were waking the dead, they stopped. Now they lay down and go to sleep. Well, the oldest does. The little one still seems to hold out some hope, so he'll cry for about 2 minutes. Then he sleeps.

Maybe your daughter thinks that if she keeps screaming, she'll get you to go back in her room? If you tell her you'll see her in the morning, stick to your guns, don't go back in, and see what happens in a week.

One try giving her a cup of warm milk since it helps calm nerves down. two I wouldn't let her have sugar at all but thats just me. if you have a bedtime routine try talking her through it. instead of just a 30 min warning ahead they usually won't remember after several minutes. talk about what will happen after each step in a routine.

for example my daughter gets bath time where she gets to splash to her delight. when i get ready to wash her I tell her I'm going to clean her up with her soap. then i do the the same with the shampoo. sometimes she will try to help scrub her own hair. Since my girl thinks its fun to watch the water go down the drain she gets to splash until the water is gone. Then its time to get dried off and pajamas on. Once getting ready for bed is done we tell her no fussing in bed you go. we read her a story or two and then tuck her in. it has helped ease the screaming fits. but not all the time but it is getting better. also letting her run outside has helped out a lot.

Hi C.,
I am not sure exactly where you are located, but...the sleep expert mentioned in another response will be speaking at my child's school. Here is the info. if you would like to attend.
Mom 2 Mom - October 5th, 2009 - 9:15a to 11a
Nancy Birkernmeier, RN, from St. Luke's Sleep Research Center.
Free and Open to ALL Families.
contact the main church office by September 28th @ ###-###-####, if childcare arrangements need to be made.
Manchester United Methodist Church - Circle Of Friends Preschool...129 Woods Mill Road, Manchester, MO 63011
www.manchesterumc.org/circle of friends

good luck,
D.

My son did this same thing for a long time. It started a couple months after he turned 2 and probably lasted a good 9 months or so. I tried everything! I was reading all these children's sleep books and nothing worked. After a long time of very stressful bedtime night after night he finally quit doing it. I've heard of putting a baby gate at the door but she's big enough she may be able to crawl over it. I was told the first time they get up give them a hug and kiss, take them back to bed and tell them good night. Then as they keep getting up you don't say a word just walk them back to bed. But my son was doing the same thing screaming and would literally run out of the door almost the second I walked out of the room. I'm sorry, I guess I don't have much advice for you but wanted to let you know we went through the same thing and it did go away.

I would suggest make sure you don't make it a habit of you laying in bed until they go to sleep or letting them fall asleep in your bed. That will just lead to more problems down the road. Good luck! I hope she starts getting to sleep better before your next one is born!

You have received awesome suggestions. If you feel like, after trying some of those, you are at the end of your rope, I suggest an appointment with Nancy Birkenmeier, a nurse at the Sleep Medicine Center at St. Luke's in Chesterfield. I met with her 8 years ago for my then 3 year old waking in the middle of the night. I paid a specialist's co-pay on my insurance ($20 at that time) and sat with her for 2 hours. I told her in detail the whole story. She listened so attentively then outlined a detailed plan for us to follow. When it worked I thought she was my new best friend. I was so grateful to be getting a whole uninterruped night's sleep. Good luck. Sleep problems are the worst. I know.

my 26 month old doesn't cry for as long as yours but she does cry every time i leave the room...usually no more than 15 minutes. I'm also 7 months preggo and am trying to get this under control before the baby gets here.
everything i've read is just keep being consistent. I keep trying to make a big deal of her sleeping by herself like a big girl and her ernie wants her to lay by him. we get her screaming for only 2 minutes every once in a while (not often) but i take that as a sign that it's getting better...maybe? :-) good luck and let me know if you figure out a miracle solution!

Oh yes, I am quite familiar with this technique as well! you have some similar advice, but what worked for us was just to go back and put her in bed each time, Supernanny style. It was VERY frustrating and h*** o* me, but that's what we went with and I think it worked. I am also about to give birth and I just couldn't handle the crying, so going back in is what I chose. I would not talk to her or acknoweldge her behavior, I would just silently pick her up and put her in bed, no hugs, not kisses, no nothing. I did this as many times as it took (one night was about 50 in as many minutes) and it eventually worked every time. This went on for about 2 months and now is MUCH, much better. She rarely gets out of bed now and if she does it usually only takes one time to get her to stay. Now, when the baby comes next week, we'll see how well it all goes, but until then...?! ;) Good luck!

have you tried reading the no cry sleep solution for toddlers and preschoolers? Elizabeth Pantley is good, and you might find a few suggestions you like. (seems to me that it really depends on the kid and the family what will work)

K.